Former Wimbledon champion and this year's favourite Roger Federer AP

ROGER FEDERER has admitted the pressure is back on as he attempts to claim a record 15th grand slam title.

The world number two has been in a relaxed mood ever since winning his first French Open title last month, equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slam titles and becoming only the sixth man in history to win all four.

Winning on the clay of Roland Garros after losing the previous three finals means he can lay claim to being the greatest player of all time, and he can emphasise that with victory over Andy Roddick in this afternoon's Wimbledon final.

Federer beat Roddick at the same stage in 2004 and 2005, and his chances of scoring his 19th victory in 21 meetings against the fast-serving American look high.

But the 27-year-old concedes the nerves will still be jangling now a 15th grand slam title is within touching distance.

"Tension always comes back for any grand slam final, or any final for that matter"

"Tension always comes back for any Grand Slam final, or any final for that matter," Federer said. "Knowing I only have one match to go, it definitely changes your mindset.

"You don't have to think of a match coming after this. I will just try to give my very best. The record [15th title] is part of the match, so it's even more of an incentive."

All the statistics point to a comfortable victory for Federer. The five-time champion has dropped just one set on his way to the final, while Roddick has lost six.

Federer is contesting a record 20th Grand Slam final. Roddick's last final was at the 2006 US Open – where he lost to the Swiss maestro.

However, having seen Roddick surprisingly get the better of Britain's third seed Andy Murray in the semi-finals, Federer insists he is taking nothing for granted.

"He is one of the most consistent players in the last five years," Federer adds.

"It's nice to see him back in a grand slam final again. We've played so many times against each other, we're almost the same age. He has improved his game again I think, which was important and necessary.

"We've had some big matches against each other. That serve makes him so dangerous. He will always have a shot because he can serve so great. It's hard to get a read on it. There are times when I had a great read on it and times when I couldn't read it at all. That's the strength of a great server.

"He probably has the best second serve in the game as well. He's good enough off the baseline that he can always make it a tough match every single time."

Winning a sixth Wimbledon title would take Federer closer to William Renshaw and Pete Sampras, who both won seven times, and also take him back to the top of the world rankings.

Federer lost the world number one spot to Rafael Nadal last August after a record 237 consecutive weeks as world number one.

Although he would like to reclaim that position, he admits it would not mean as much second time around.

"That's a very special moment because you have become number one in the world," Federer added. "It does not matter if you have it for a week or for a long time.

"It's nice to hang onto it and go through life being number one, being called number one by everybody. You are not just a champion, you are the best at something.

"I hope I can become number one in the world again. That's the reason I have to play well today and focus against Roddick."

And as for his motivation to win even more grand slam titles, Federer had an ominous warning for his challengers.

"I'm also playing wonderful tennis at the moment so everything is great," he added. "I'm not really worried about my motivation too much.

"I love this game too much. I would like to stick around for a long time yet."